Weeds | UC Agriculture and Natural Resources

Learn how to ID weeds and control them. Learn how to avoid plants that can take over your garden and become weeds.

closeup of many foxtail seedheads ready to disperse

Article

“Foxtail”: A Fearsome Weed of Many Names

August 18, 2025

By Judy Quan

Weeds are a perennial problem for gardeners. One of the most feared weeds for pet owners is the “foxtail”. The “foxtail” is the seed from a variety of different grassy weeds, and the seed has barbed awns (stiff bristles) with a sharp point that goes in easily and barbs that prevent the…

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Flowering dandelion, Taraxacum officinale.
Credit: Gerald and Buff Corsi

Article

Spring at Last, But those Weeds! Tips on Controlling Common Weeds

February 2, 2024

By Diane Allen

Tackle spring weeds in your Alameda County garden with these expert tips on identifying and managing common weeds before they take over.

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Enchanting Plants or Garden Thugs?

Learn about garden thugs—ornamental plants that become invasive under the right conditions and spread aggressively, disrupting your garden and your neighbor's.

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Filaree Winter Annual "weed"

Learn how to control filaree weeds in the garden. Discover effective management techniques to protect your pets, manage the weed and keep your garden beautiful.

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